7.24.12 - Grand Traverse Lighthouse & Museum

7.24.12:

Grand Traverse Lighthouse 
Leelanau Peninsula, Northport, MI. 

Awesome time.  Brandie and I were on our 1st wedding anniversary vacation up in Sutton's Bay and decided to take a little stroll on up to the GT Lighthouse. This was actually Lighthouse Numbero Uno of the Michigan Lighthouse Chronicles, and where the idea was actually brought to fruition. I am very thankful to this place, because the keepers were very nice and went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of.  I got a nice little northern Michigan lighthouse painting/picture that is really cool and a nice postcard to add to the lighthouse postcard collection.  The ground that this lovely house was built on is right along the water and is exquisite.  People travel from all over the country to the point where the house that was built in 1858 stands today.

We toured the inside which was lived in by several people with more history here that I care to type about - you'll have to see for yourself... and make sure you've got a Michigan Parks pass on your license plate as I do, otherwise the game gon' cost a fee.  It's in the Leelanau State Park.  $4 to get in and parking is prevalent.

The organ pictured above in-between us has been to more countries than most people have.  It went all over the place, sold, kept, resold - and finally, the grandson of Captain McCormick, the keeper that lived here for over 17 years found it and bought it and donated to the museum. 


For Michiganders, this is truly a place you'll want to be at some point.  After going up the tower and checking out the amazing panoramic display, we took a "walk" on the rocky beach where there were funny little stone mountings so b-rabbit broke out the half moon pose, coming out of "utthita trikonasana" 

Anyhow, the GT Lighthouse boasts epic history - there are another few houses on the grounds, plus a cool gift shop where you can get more acquainted with the fun ways to remember your visit. Enjoy! The drive up there is fun, too. I can't wait to go back....


~Mark & Brandie
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 

7.29.12 - Lighthouse Passport Acquisition; Muskegon & White River Breakwater Lights!

7.29.12 : 

Today was a very special day in the Michigan Lighthouse Chronicles. I got my Lighthouse Passport!  Provided by the United States Lighthouse Society, which is simply awesome.
Basically, each lighthouse you go to, you get a "stamp" in your passport... if you get 60 stamps, the U.S. Lighthouse Society sends you a patch.  The patch reads, "I've seen the Light" ....
120 stamps/Lighthouses - you receive a Silver Star Patch
180 stamps/Lighthouses - you receive a Gold Star Level Stamp... and if you are a boss, and you get to 240 stamps over 4 passport books - you receive a Platinum Circle Patch.  This patch is for the real O.G.'z.

I've got 1 stamp. However, not all lighthouses are in operation and give stamps... so what do I do then?  The USLHS encourages you to print your pic and date it.  this also counts. I'm at 7, then. phew.
I paid my dues and I am now officially a member of the USLHS (www.uslhs.org).

So today Brandie and I decided to head out just after Noontime from Grand Rapids to the next two wonderful places along our journey.... 

1. ) White River Light Station: 2:30pm. 

The White River Light Station is in a charming spot.  Nestled in between White Lake & Lake Michigan, it sits along the channel where the most amazing sailboats catch wind. Scenic Dr. took brought us there - north of Muskegon in Whitehall.  Free Parking and $4 adult fee to walk thru the museum and climb the tower. Well worth it! We ended up learning a lot about the ships that used to come thru, and the U.S.S. Silversides, and old WWII ship that would ferry people from the lightstation here to Chi-Town regularly.

We walked the pier on this beautifully sunny day and brandie was pretty bummed because we forgot our bathing suits, so we quickly established a few ground rules when "Light-Housing" : 1.) ALWAYS BRING A BATHING SUIT!"  2.) Beer - optional 

Overall, we got some great pics, probably about 50... I'd love to post all of them.
There's something about walking the breakwater pier during a beautiful sunny day on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Great times!

7.28.12 - St. Joseph Lights to Grand Haven Pier!

7.28.12 - 
Today I visited:

1.) St. Joseph North Pier:
Absolutely beautiful beaches surrounded this pier on a windy day that had waves crashing the sides of the pier and sprinkles of Lake MI water rained on Layla And I as we walked with the sun in our faces.  I had never been here before in my life so I loved walking to the beach by the yacht club and traveling down 63.. a very scenic drive! 
On our way down to St. Joe, I had a big gatorade and never hit the bathroom.  Right in front of the dunes leading to the lighthouse, I tried to hit the bathroom but they were locked!  So I kinda peed my pants :)  but I quickly got over it and pushed on.  The houses were a little old and rusty, but they were beautiful!

these lighthouses replaced the first ever lighthouse on Lake Michigan!  the history here is magnetic. 

 2.) South Haven South Pierhead:
...A little guy!  But perfectly layed into the foundation that is the South Haven beach.  Funny, a Gus Macker tourney was going on right in front of it and that's the product of a TON of people in a condensed area.  Futhermore, it was an absolutely glorious day and that always makes the beach the destination of the day.  South Haven is such a cute little town... easy to fall in love with.  The pier is cute too, with a cute little red short (not tall) lighthouse that serves its purpose.  A focal point, yet gets lost in the beauty of the golden coastline dazzing with whitecaps as the waves punish the shoreline. Good times!  People loved Layla... she was great all day!  Plenty of great pics!

Layla & Me @ South Haven Pier Light, she was a good doggie...

Even though it was windy, people still were boating and walking the  pier!

3.) Holland Harbor Lighthouse "BIG RED" (pictured Below):

Layla was a climbing freak! hilarious! 

First, the only way to Big Red is by a gated community (for the rich and famous apparently!).  A lovely village, but a lot of security. You cannot access Big Red from the regular beach/pier.  It's across the way and luckily, Layla and I trekked the way there through the dunes!  What a beautiful time! That dog needed some high quality H2O! Big Red is more like Big Pink these days though after all the heat we've been getting.  Lots of History here actually - at one time the Lighthouse service wanted to demolish it, but now the historical commission owns it and has it kept, there are some museum-like things inside, but alas.... it was locked like all the others.


4. Grand Haven Lights: 


honestly, I have been here 50 times before... but it was still fun. A gorgeous day and tons of people hanging out by the outer pier!  This is most definitely the most popular beach of West Michigan shorelines.  The best part was driving up Lakeshore Ave N in between Holland and Grand Haven... the most amazing homes that have the ridiculous views.  I think i'll check on some of that real estate...

Layla and I had fun though, it's a great beach... we were swangin' through the foot-traffic along the pier, and lots of "awwww's" from the women passer-bys (for layla obviously)  Everyone is so nice. I am very much looking forward to heading north to my next stop, the Muskegon South Pier Light and White River Lighthouses.

One thing I've noticed that each of these has in common:  the color red.  Perhaps it pops against the beach and water so captains can find it easier? Interesting little factoid.

The GH lights are owned by the city of Grand Haven and thus, closed to the public at this time.






The Journey Continues.................................................

7.28.12 - Today it begins. My voyage across the beautiful state of Michigan lakeshore to find all 116 lighthouses.  I am very excited to have fun, gain knowledge and travel to new places in my home state!
Today I am going from Grand Rapids down the the St. Joseph North Pier (first ever lighthouse in MI) then heading upwards and hopefully making it to Grand Haven or Muskegon.  However, this is not about time, or accomplishment.... it is about something that is special to me: history of our great state... and Layla will enjoy it too as my companion! Brandie will be accompanying me soon.... here we go!  I am excited and I hope that it is as fulfilling as I know it can be. here I go..... :)